No pressure, no diamond! Heavy works require proper strategy and hard work. No one can’t even imagine doing heavy works without professional equipment. But no more hassle, you can buy yourself the smaller versions of heavy equipment for home use. If you are planning to buy an air compressor within a budget, it is time to buy the best air compressor under 500.
Air compressor is an essential equipment that makes all the heavy works a breeze. This machine has a rather complicated mechanism with which we’re not going to bore you, but those who know its uses, surely know how efficient it is. You have to choose the right air compressor for the right use. You might be wondering which type you should choose. No more confusion, here’s a brief description on which type of air compressors you should choose—
What Kind Of Air Compressor Do I Need?
Your preferred air compressor will depend on which purpose you want to use it for. If you are planning to use it for garage works, an air compressor for impact wrench would be an ideal choice. Now the question is which size should we choose for impact wrench? In our opinion, an air compressor with 4 to 6 CFM at 90 PSI is ideal for running a half inch impact wrench. Having trouble with the air compressor metrics? Worry not, we are going to provide a detailed guide of air compressor metrics down below for your ease.
On the other hand, those who have frequent painting jobs, may think of having an air compressor for spray painting. With a vast experience in spray painting, we can assure an air compressor with a 6-8 CPM and 30-50 PSI works the best for any type of painting job. They work like a charm when it comes to spray painting jobs. You can use it for not only painting walls, but also to paint cars or even wrought iron furniture.
Also, some of us may need an air compressor for blowing out sprinkler. Those who want an easy watering system for their garden should get one. This way you can ensure an even irrigation system in your garden without much hassle. An air compressor with a pressure regulator between 80 to 50 PSI works just fine for winterizing a sprinkler system. Your sprinkler should be able to provide at least 20 cubic feet irrigation per minute for a proper blow out.
To sum up, the ideal size of your air compressor will entirely depend on your use. So setting your preference first is mandatory to find an ideal sized air compressor.
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Contents
Comparison Chart:
Want To Skip The Details? Check Out The Short Cut Comparison Chart To Choose Your Favorite Air Compressor Easily
IMAGE | NAME | RATING | DETAILS |
 | STEALTH 20 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor | ||
 | Makita Big Bore Air Compressor | ||
 | California Air Tools Air Compressor | ||
 | Porter Cable Portable Air Compressor | ||
 | Ingersoll Rand Twin Stack Portable Air Compressor |
Top 5 Best Air Compressor Under 500 Reviews 2021
The first drawback of buying an air compressor is its expensive price range. Most of the expensive products are basically intended for professional use, but some brands do have air compressors for home uses within a much less price range. We are picking out the top 5 best air compressor under 500 dollars. So let’s dig in—
1. STEALTH 20 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor
This product is an ideal choice for those who want a professional level air compressor under budget. The features, price range and most importantly its efficiency were super impressive. Functional design and superior mobility options have increased the hype of this compressor even more.
The STEALTH Ultra Quiet Air Compressor is the literal beast within budget. You get a complete package of high end features in a single compressor. This is indeed impressive considering its budget. Therefore it is quite a great one to be chosen as the best air compressor.
STEALTH 20 Gallon Features:
The STEALTH air compressor comprises some of the best features in one single machine. The first thing we noticed about this product is it is quite great for home usage because of its low noise level. The elevated technology in this air compressor has decreased the noise to as low as 68 decibels, which is still loud but not louder than other air compressors.
The most impressive part of this air compressor is its specification. Solid configuration and the powerful motor will help you to make any drills & hammer projects a piece of cake. It delivered a pretty great result on any grease gun project too. Its wide pressure range comes in handy in diverse tasks. The 20 gallon capacity and 1.8 hp powerful motor along with a pressure range up to 150 PSI says so.
This product recovers quite quickly after it’s exhausted, so you can get your work done as quickly as a flash. The steel tank body does seem a little heavy on weight. But rubber wheels makes it quite effortless to transport. The stand tall design contributes to the easy portability too.
2. Makita Big Bore Air Compressor
This product is another incredible product for its powerful motor and diverse use. Its durability and efficiency are what made this one our pick for the best air compressor. Although not having a mobility feature might be a problem, but it made it up with its solid performance.
The Makita Big Bore Air Compressor has just the right configuration to do multitasking like a pro. Its strong motor is certainly enough to let you use two nailers at a time. So this product is perfect for those who are looking for the product for an impact wrench.
Makita Big Bore Features:
The first thing we noticed on this compressor was its stunningly powerful motor. This product has a whopping 2.5 hp motor, which delivered an incredible result on heavy works. It has a twin stacked barrel with a capacity of 4.2 gallons, that is quite okay for home usage. Although the high pressure supply up to 130 PSI seems quite enough for two nailers.
Another plus point of this air compressor is it doesn’t get hot while working. The motor pump is oil lubricated which certainly helps to run the machine smoothly without increasing the temperature. Also, the built in thermal overload came handy for extra protection of the motor. Altogether, they contribute to give it a long lifetime.
The design is quite a charmer to provide protection against extreme site environment. Also, the standard petcock style provided easy maintenance. The automotive style industrial air filter also helped in added efficiency by increasing air intake. Although the only drawback of the design was its portability. No wheel and bulky design with an 80lb weight made it quite hard to transfer. So you may need to find a permanent place to keep this air compressor.
3. California Air Tools Air Compressor
The California Air Tools Air Compressor is also a great air compressor within a budget range. Despite having a low price range, the configuration of this compressor was quite high end compared to any other compressors in the market.
It has an amazing easy maintenance and easy start feature, that provides quite an effortless experience on use. Besides the oil free engines adds up even more comfort. Because you do not have to change the oils anymore. Low noise and powerful engine were what made us choose this product to be one of the best air compressors.
California Air Tools Features:
After giving it a go, the first thing we noticed was its low noise. It was not that silent like you’d expect, but the noise level was quite manageable to endure. Considering it’s an air compressor, having this product would be great if your house isn’t soundproof. The powerful motor of 2 hp runs at a low RPM which not only lowers the sound but also runs for a longer time before wear.
The Easy Start Valve feature was a great addition to this product. It was helpful to start the machine quite easily. On top of that, the usage of fewer amps made it even easy to start at a colder temperature. The air tank was made of Aluminum with a capacity if 4.6 gallons. So it was helped to make this product lightweight. Although having no wheels made it quite tough to transfer from one place to another.
The total mechanism seemed quite efficient to make this product a long lasting one. This product has a dual piston motor pump that is totally oil free. So you do not have to change the oil or go through any hassle operating this product. Also, the low RPM motor contributes to a long life cycle of up to 3000 hours before wear.
4. Porter Cable Portable Air Compressor
This product is quite a great value for money if you are looking for something efficient under budget. Stunning look and design, this compressor is another name of beauty with a power inside. Built in wheels add a feather to its crown with a sleek mobility.
Having such perfect design didn’t compromise the budget at all. The strong motor certainly elevates the performance even more. Bigger tank size and diverse pressure regulation, this product is indeed a great investment on money.
Porter Cable Portable Features:
The features are pretty much the same as the STEALTH air compressor. Although this air compressor has a different weight and noise level. On the first impression, we liked the outlook and design. This product comes in a vibrant red color, which adds a tempting look to this tool. Besides, it is easy to transfer as it has two wheels for easy mobility. The stand tall design contributes to the portability too. Although it doesn’t have any measure to protect it from any rough work environment. Other than that, the total design was top notch.
Just like the STEALTH air compressor, it has a whopping 20 gallon tank that doesn’t get exhausted that quickly. Even when it gets exhausted, the high pressure unit can quickly recover it. The pressure unit can work on up to 150 PSI. With a variation in settings, it can provide either 5 CFM at PSI or 4 CFM at 90 PSI.
The motor has 1.5 hp capacity, which is quite powerful considering its price range. This product has an oil free motor type. So you will not have to go through any hassle of changing the oil. The only drawback we face was this air compressor is extremely noisy. Other than that, it is certainly an impressive product.
5. Ingersoll Rand Twin Stack Portable Air Compressor
This product is also a super efficient product with a compact design. Even though, the performance was indeed top notch. This air compressor has been stacked with impressive high end feature just like a little powerhouse.
Despite not having any mobility feature, it is quite a charmer with its function. The whopping 2 HP motor did the right justice to its name. It will not disappoint your expectations even a tad bit. If you are looking for an air compressor for small & DIY projects, this one is a great contender for the best air compressor.
Ingersoll Rand Twin Features:
While experimenting with this product, the first thing we noticed it has a super compact design. This product has only 19 x 19 x 17 inches dimension, which wouldn’t take up any space at your garage at all. But this product is quite heavy to lift, and it has no wheels like a stand tall air compressor. So it is quite tough to transfer from one place to another.
Despite being compact in design, it didn’t sacrifice its performance at all. This product has a strong 2 HP motor that certainly worked like a charm when started. The motor is not oil free, it uses a synthetic lubricant. Even though you do not have to change the oil that much often. Because it can provide up to two thousand hours of service in a single changeout.
The cast iron cylinder and protective back shade along with an enclosed frame contribute to long life durability with an extended pump life due to lubricant use.
This product has a tank of 4 gallon volume and pressure regulator up to 135 PSI at maximum. The compressor tank filled within just 60-70 seconds. So you do not have to worry about any pause in your work.
Why Should You Buy The Best Air Compressor Under 500?
Buying an air compressor at home means to stop relying on professionals even on a little hardware problem at home. We have already discussed how it works and uses of air compressor.
Buying an air compressor under 500 may seem like a gamble. Because many people think the good ones are always expensive. It’s true, but buying an air compressor under 500 dollars will not be a waste of your money. Here’s how:
Inexpensive:
The first and most obvious reason is its inexpensive price. Professional air compressors can cost as much as 10000 dollars ( 10 HP motor). Most of us cannot effort that unless we use it professionally. The inexpensive ones may not be as powerful as them. But they’re still capable of doing any household work.
Versatility:
While selecting our top 5 products, one of the parameters of choosing the best product was versatility. You can do any type of household job like nailing, spraying, painting, wrenching with these air compressors. Even, you can replace an inflating machine with an air compressor. That way you don’t have to work your lungs out to inflate the balloons on your daughter’s birthday. Having an air compressor can come in such use that you never thought of.
Timesaver:
Buying the best air compressor dollars can make even the toughest work a piece of cake. Think of watering the garden yourself vs installing a blowing out sprinkler. Having an air compressor can save your time, money and most importantly, your sweats.
What To Consider Before Buying The Best Air Compressor Under 500?
As we said, we’re just getting the cheap versions of air compressors. So buying the best air compressor under 500 dollars can be quite tricky. You have to keep a lot of things in mind before buying an air compressor at this price. Because it’s obvious they won’t work as great as a professional air compressor. However, here’s a guide to buy an air compressor under 500 dollars:
Air Compressor Price:
The first and foremost thing to keep in mind is the price range. Because you get the product according to your budget. Obviously, the cheapest products will not provide the greatest service. But if you research the products properly, you can get yourself the best product in budget.
Air Compressor Size:
You also need to be really sure about which purpose you’re going to use an air compressor. Different size air compressor fulfills different working purposes. Check out if your air compressor has a specific pressure option to complete your job. Otherwise, your purchased product will be totally useless.
Noise:
It is also an important thing to consider if you’re buying the product for home use. Noisy air compressors are not good for home use because it may disturb your other family members. Besides, noisy air compressors can be really injurious to your ear.
Portability:
You should certainly check properly if your air compressor has portability options. Most of the stand tall air compressors have wheels. So you can transfer the compressor pretty easily. On the other hand, air compressors with no wheels are not easy to carry. So, check if your compressor has wheels
These are the things you should certainly consider before buying an air compressor. You can follow our reviews instead to skip the hassles of checking the parameters.
Frequently Asked Questions
✅ What size air compressor is best for home use?
We would recommend buying an air compressor with a 5 to 9 CFM and 30 to 90 PSI for home use. It may differ on your purpose of buying too.
✅ How many CFM do I need to run air tools?
An air compressor with a 5 to 10 CFM is indeed useful to run air tools.
✅ How much PSI do I need for an air compressor?
Any air compressor with a pressure option of 30 to 120 PSI is certainly ideal for home usage. Check out if the air compressor has such flexibility.
✅ Is a higher CFM a better air compressor?
A higher CFM is used for heavy works. If you’re not to do any heavy works, choose the ones with a more flexible CFM.
✅ What is the difference between PSI and CFM?
PSI stands for Pound per Square Inch. On the other hand, CFM stands for Cubic Feet Per Meter. PSI is a unit used for pressure where CFM is a unit used for volume in air compressors.
Conclusion
To sum up, the STEALTH 20 Gallon Ultra Quiet Air Compressor is our choice for the best air compressor. Because it is an ideal air compressor for home uses. It did a great job on not only lowering the noise but also its easy portability, which made it better than any air compressors in the market. The price range is also quite reasonable. This product is indeed ideal for any drills and hammer project at home.
So here goes our take on the top 5 best air compressor under 500 dollars. Which one did you choose as your favorite air compressor? Let us know in the comment section. Happy working!